S3C Foundation Presents:

Certification in Complex Trauma and Dissociation


What is CCTD?

The Certification in Complex Trauma and Dissociation (CCTD) recognizes practitioners who demonstrate knowledge and competence in serving people affected by complex trauma and dissociation. It is governed by the S3C Certification Committee, which operates independently of S3C Training. Completion of any specific course, including S3C courses, is not required.

Candidates qualify through one of two routes.

Clinical Route

  • An active, unrestricted U.S. license as a mental health professional, such as a counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse practitioner, or

  • A graduate degree in a mental health field with supervised clinical practice

Support Role Route

  • Current state certification as a peer support specialist or recovery coach, or

  • Completion of a coach training program

All candidates

  • Document training in complex trauma and dissociation that covers the exam content outline, from any qualified provider

  • Agree to the CCTD Code of Ethics and scope of practice statement

All holders practice within the scope of their own license, credential, or applicable state law.

The S3C Foundation Certificate in Complex Trauma and Dissociation recognizes that the holder has completed the required training and passed the program’s assessment. It is an educational credential. It does not grant a license, authorize independent practice, or expand a holder’s legal scope of practice in any state or jurisdiction.

Holders are solely responsible for practicing within the scope of their own license, training, and applicable laws and ethical codes, and for obtaining consultation or supervision as needed. Course content is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical supervision, consultation, therapeutic relationship or care, or direction for the care of any specific client.

The S3C Foundation, its board, faculty, and volunteers are not responsible or liable for how holders apply course content in clinical or professional practice, or for any outcomes arising from that application.

Who can earn CCTD credentials?

Licensed and license-eligible mental health professionals who work with people affected by complex trauma and dissociative disorders, including counselors, marriage & family therapists, clinical social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners.

Peer support specialists and recovery coaches are also eligible in their own track.

All holders work within the scope of their own license, credential, or state law.

Several options for further study of complex trauma and dissociation are listed HERE, including other options outside of S3C Foundation. Completing them with EmmaS is not required for the Certification in Complex Trauma and Dissociation (CCTD), and it does not give an advantage toward earning it. Candidates may prepare through training from any qualified provider. The CCTD is administered separately by the S3C Certification Program.

How is the CCTD earned?

Examinations

Candidates must pass ten topical portions of exams:

  1. History of Trauma and Dissociation

  2. Psychodynamic and Relational Frameworks

  3. Feminist Liberation Framework

  4. Ethics

  5. Assessment and Treatment (Clinical Route) or Discovery and Action (Support Role Route)

  6. Suicidality and Self-Harm (Clinical Route) or Risk and Referral (Support Role Route)

  7. Coercive Control

  8. High-Demand and High-Control Groups

  9. Complex Trauma

  10. Dissociation

Each has 80 questions, a 3 hour time limit, and an 80% passing score, taken orally live or in writing with library proctoring.

Testing Accommodations

The CCTD Certification Program provides reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request an accommodation, contact the Certification Program when you apply and include documentation of your need. Accommodations are confidential and are not noted on results or certificates.

Appeals

Candidates may appeal an eligibility decision, an exam result, or a certification decision. Submit a written appeal to the Certification Program within 30 days of the decision, explaining the reason for the appeal. The Certification Committee reviews each appeal, and no person involved in the original decision takes part in that review. The Committee’s decision is final.

Recertification

The CCTD is valid for three years. To recertify, holders complete continuing education in complex trauma and dissociation, including ethics, from S3C or any qualified provider, and reaffirm the CCTD Code of Ethics and scope of practice statement. Details are in the CCTD Candidate Handbook. The S3C Foundation, its board, faculty, and volunteers are not responsible or liable for how holders apply course content in clinical or professional practice, or for any outcomes arising from that application.

How is CCTD governed?

The Certification in Complex Trauma and Dissociation (CCTD) recognizes practitioners who demonstrate knowledge and competence in serving people affected by complex trauma and dissociation. It is governed by the S3C Certification Committee, which operates independently of S3C Training. Completion of any specific course, including S3C courses, is not required.

Scope of the CCTD

The CCTD does not grant a license, authorize independent practice, or expand a holder’s legal scope of practice in any state or jurisdiction.